The Manipur Government has ordered the deployment of additional security forces to Namdilong in Imphal West district to disperse protesters enforcing an economic blockade along National Highway-2, even as questions continue to be raised over the government’s failure to restore unrestricted movement on National Highways blocked for years in Kangpokpi district. The latest move comes as the economic blockade at Namdilong entered its 28th consecutive day. The agitation, spearheaded by the Liangmai Naga community and supported by local Meitei and Nepali residents, was launched on June 5 to demand justice for the six Liangmai Naga civilians allegedly abducted and killed on May 13, 2026.The protesters are demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible for the killings and have also condemned what they describe as a confessional statement issued by members of the Kuki community in connection with the incident.
The government’s decision has drawn attention as it comes despite the continued restrictions on free movement along National Highways passing through Kangpokpi district, where Kuki civil society organisations have been enforcing prolonged restrictions on the movement of members of certain communities. While the State has refrained from taking stringent measures to restore unrestricted movement in those areas, it has moved swiftly to dismantle the blockade at Namdilong. Sources at the protest site said volunteers had stepped up mobilisation after reports emerged that security forces could be deployed to forcibly disperse the demonstrators. Protest organisers reportedly appealed for more volunteers to gather at the site to strengthen the on-going agitation.
The Manipur government on Saturday the 8th August 2026announced the immediate resumption of public Transport & reopening of national highways for free movement of people from all communities in the ethnic violence-hit state. The government announced that the Imphal-Dimapur bus service would be resumed. The announcements were made jointly by CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh, Dy CM Nemcha Kipgen and MLA Haokholet Kipgen in Kangpokpi, a Kuki-majority district. The working committee of Naga organisation Tangkhul Naga Long welcomed the CM’s announcement on free movement for people from all communities, calling it a “bold declaration” by the government. However, it remains to be seen how the Kukis react.
National Highways 2 and 37 are Manipur’s lifeline. An inter-district “economic blockade” on National Highway 2, enforced by a Naga organisation on May 17, has still remained in force. The highway enters Manipur from Nagaland. Similarly, movement of vehicles on National Highway 202, which connects the Meitei-majority Imphal Valley with Naga-majority Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, has remained suspended following intermittent blockades called by Kuki organisations. National Highway 37, which enters Manipur from southern Assam’s Barak Valley, is open, but movement of vehicles is often affected due to disruptions and extortion demands by myriad organisations.
In March last year, the Centre’s attempt to restore free movement for people on all roads in the state met with angry protests, with a mob attacking a bus of Manipur State Transport in Kangpokpi. One person was killed while several others were injured. Meanwhile, the CM held meetings with various community leaders in Kangpokpi as part of the government’s ongoing peace-building and reconciliation efforts.
At least 200 passengers from Imphal left for Guwahati on Saturday, a day after transport services resumed along National Highway 2 in Manipur, an official statement said. The movement of vehicles along national highways in Manipur had been severely affected following the outbreak of ethnic clashes in the state, with members of different communities refraining from travelling to areas dominated by other groups due to safety concerns and blockades. “The resumption of public transport along the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati route via NH-2 continued smoothly on its second day, with more than 200 passengers leaving Imphal in a fleet of 10 vehicles around 10 am,” the statement said. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kukis in Manipur since May 2023.
Fresh violence erupted along the Kangpokpi-Senapati border on August 24, 2026, shortly after public transport services and trial runs resumed on National Highway 2 (NH-2), leading to a renewed blockade of the vital highway. Unidentified miscreants set fire to a house in Taphou Kuki village in the Kangpokpi district. Retaliatory arson broke out in the Naga Taphou area of the neighbouring Senapati district, damaging and burning several Naga houses. An exchange of gunfire started between two groups in Liangmei Taphou / Taphou Naga. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Sub-Inspector Pradeep Singh of the 36th Battalion was shot in the leg during the gunfight and taken to Senapati District Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition. Local residents staged massive protests following the arson and gunfight. Protesters blocked NH-2 (connecting Imphal and Dimapur) using burning logs and tires, bringing vehicular movement and newly resumed transport services to a complete standstill. Additional security forces and paramilitary units were deployed along vulnerable stretches of the highway to control the situation and prevent further escalation. Public transport services along National Highway 2 (NH-2) in Manipur faced a brief disruption due to fresh violence in the Senapati district, but operations quickly resumed under heavy security.
Meanwhile, public transport services on the Imphal-Dimapur road continued for the third day on Monday. More than 250 passengers, including women and children, left Imphal for Dimapur and Guwahati in a fleet of five buses and seven Wingers under fool proof security. On the other hand, around 100 passengers, who started their journey from Guwahati on Sunday, reached Imphal on Monday afternoon. No untoward incidents were reported along the highway during their journey. Today again, in the ambush by suspected Kuki militants along the IT road of Kangpokpi District at around 8:30 AM,4 Naga civilian were killed and one injured while Vilage authority of Chawangkining is found missing. The incident took place between Makui Ashang and Thanambanaga villages. The deceases were, Tadsongbou Ringkangmai (Founder and Principal of Right Path School, T.khullen), Mariakdibou Wijunamai – Executive Member, Makui Youth Club, Japou MK – Student Leader, Thonglang Akutpa, Anil Wijunamai – Executive Member, Makui Youth Club. The injured person was Gaikamang Ringkangmai and missing one is Wisobou Charenamai, Chairman of Chawangkining Village Authority.
Adequate security personnel and road-opening parties have been deployed along the vulnerable stretches of the highway to ensure the free and safe movement of the vehicles. But, how long it will last? When will next violence erupt? Can Government ensure a safe journey forever? These are the questions in public mind.
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